Manama: Bahrain and Japan have signed four memoranda of understanding during a landmark two-day visit by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to the Arabian Gulf kingdom.
The accords related to co-operation in the areas of health care, medical studies, anti-money laundering and agriculture were hailed by the two sides as a positive step forward towards consolidating and broadening relations between the two countries.
They also reflected Bahrain’s interests in reinforcing its relations with countries from Eastern Asia, mainly Japan and South Korea. Bahrain has already advanced relations with the Philippines and Thailand as well as India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
Most members of the expatriate community in the kingdom are Asians working in the booming construction and service sectors.
During the round of official talks on Saturday evening, Bahrain’s Prime Minister Prince Khalifa Bin Salman Al Khalifa highlighted the need to move forward the strategic discussions on signing the free trade agreement between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and Japan, Bahrain News Agency (BNA) reported.
“The two sides agreed to bolster their co-operation in the areas of politics, security and the fight against terror, money-laundering and organised crime. They also discussed ways to use Japanese technology in the fields of oil and communication and to enhance cultural and educational exchange,” BNA said.
Ways to ease consultations between the foreign ministries of the two countries, the establishment of a security dialogue to discuss regional matters and intensifying business and investment co-operation were also reviewed by the two delegations, the news agency said.
“Bahrain welcomed the initiative by Japan to waive entry visas for Bahraini holders of diplomatic and special passports,” BNA said.
Meanwhile, Bahrain welcomed the visit of South Korea Prime Minister Jung Hong-won to Manama on Sunday, saying in a statement that it looked forward to bolstering relations, co-operation and partnerships with Seoul.
